As she looked back at him, Aric held up some food in his chopsticks, hovering them over towards her. Maki’s eyes widened, and her face turned an even deeper shade of red. Hesitantly, she leaned forward and took the bite, chewing slowly and avoiding his gaze.

Aric watched her carefully. “Are you still tired?”

Maki still looked down, her face blushing. Slowly, she pulled a chair closer to Aric’s desk and sat down beside him. Aric, sensing her hesitation, offered another bite of food with his chopsticks. She leaned in and took the bite, her embarrassment slowly giving way to a shy smile.

As they continued in silence for a few more moments, Aric pondered the transformation he had undergone since they had first met. Finally, he spoke up, his tone curious. “Do I look like a completely different person from before?”

Maki looked at him, her eyes studying his features intently. After a moment, she swallowed and nodded. “Yes, you do. You’re almost unrecognizable, but I think that’s because you never really showed your face before.”

Aric chuckled softly. “I guess I’ve changed a lot.”

“Yes, but your kindness hasn't changed.”

Aric thought about that day in the rain, thanking his luck that he got to meet such a great friend.

“If it's more comfortable, you can study at my house so you don't have to face your parents.”

She looked a bit distant for a moment. “I don't have…parents. I only have one parent.”

He immediately felt bad and apologized, but she brushed it aside. Aric brought another piece of food as compensation, and she wolfed it down.

“I guess I'll have to take you up on that.” She said, “But only to study.”

He nodded, secretly happy for once.

Aric gave her the last spoonful and began to pack up her stuff, taking both of the plates. The PA system announced that students should return to class, and they waited a few minutes before returning the plates to the culinary room.

As they walked together, the awkwardness melted away, and he entered the classroom with a tad bit of nervousness. He could feel a pair of eyes drilling into the back of his head continuously.

As the class ended, Maki came and grabbed his arm, saying that she needed a word with him. Aric carefully removed her hand and walked toward Laric, staring into his eyes. He felt everyone in the classroom freezing up, the tension palpable.

“Laric,” Aric said, his voice steady but firm. Everyone in the room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what would happen next.

Laric turned to face him, his expression unreadable. “What do you want Yamamoto?” he asked, his tone cold.

Aric took a deep breath, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. “Two weeks, bare fists. On the roof. The loser won't ever talk to her again.”

Laric remained silent for a moment, then laughed. “Fine.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Maki grabbed Aric’s arm, her eyes wide with panic. “Yamamoto, you need to take that back,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. He looked at her, his expression softening for a moment. “Maki,” he said gently, using her nickname. “It’s fine.”

A ripple of whispers spread through the room as everyone processed the name. “Maki?” they murmured.

Laric’s smirk faded, and he gathered his items, leaving the room. The PA system crackled to life, announcing that school was over. Students began to gather their things and leave the classroom, the tension from the confrontation lingering in the air. The teacher, who had been frozen in shock, snapped out of her trance and addressed the class.

"Anyone there for class duties?" she said, her voice strained.

“I’ll do it,” Maki volunteered.

Aric gave her a reassuring nod before leaving the classroom. As he walked down the hallway, the teacher caught up with him, her expression conflicted.

“I know it’s bad to have bias as a teacher, but I'll be cheering for your win,” she said softly, her eyes showing genuine concern, something had he had never felt from her before.

Aric paused, nodding slightly. “Thank you,” he replied, letting her pass. He wasn't planning to leave Maki behind either.

After the teacher closed the door, Aric hesitated for a moment before quietly walking back to the classroom. He opened the door just enough to see Maki diligently cleaning the chalkboard.

Without making a sound, he approached her, gently taking the wiper from her hand. “You said your hands hurt,” he reminded her.

Maki jumped back, her face flushing with embarrassment. “You’re right,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Aric offered her a reassuring smile and began wiping the board. Maki watched him for a moment, her eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of lingering embarrassment.

“Thank you, Aric,” she said quietly, sitting down at a nearby desk.

“It’s nothing,” he replied, continuing to clean the board. After he was done, he woke her up.

Maki yawned and stretched, slowly getting to her feet. They walked out of the classroom together, the halls now quiet and empty. As they made their way outside, the evening air was cool and refreshing.

After they had gone a considerable distance, Maki turned to Aric and said her goodbyes. “Be very careful,” he cautioned her. “The darker it gets, the more dangerous it can be.”

She nodded, offering him a small smile. “I will.”

Aric watched her leave, a sense of protectiveness lingering in his mind. Once she was out of sight, he turned and began his walk home. The sky was a deep shade of twilight by the time he reached his house.

Inside his home, Aric made his way to his room. There, mounted on the wall, hung a sword with a red handle and a black blade. It symbolized a part of his past that he had kept buried.

Aric hesitated, his hand hovering over the hilt. Slowly, he wrapped his fingers around the handle, feeling the familiar weight and texture. His grip tightened as he unsheathed the blade, the sound of metal sliding against metal filling the room.

He took a deep breath, his emotions swirling. This sword had been more than a weapon; it had been an extension of his will, and letting that go wouldn't suffice. Swinging it again felt like reconnecting with a part of himself that he had almost forgotten. He began to move, the blade making him feel more complete. It had been with him during his successes and failures, yet he had betrayed it. He would work on honing its use.

Aric's emotions surged, a mix of nostalgia, regret, and resolve. This sword represented his past struggles and triumphs, and now, it would be his companion in the challenges ahead. The weight of the blade in his hand felt grounding, a tangible connection to his own strength and potential. As he prepared to leave, he reached for his mask, but it wasn’t there on the table. The realization struck him. He had left it at the teashop.

A moment of panic set in before he took a deep breath and calmed himself. Then, he remembered. Maki had helped him change his appearance significantly. His new look was a far cry from what people could have sen on the news. The mask was no longer necessary. He looked at his reflection, noticing the subtle changes that made him almost unrecognizable.

Aric allowed himself a small smile. Maki’s efforts had given him a new layer of protection, one that didn’t rely on concealing his face.

The familiar sounds of training greeted him as he stepped inside. Soren gave him a nod of acknowledgement. Without wasting any time, Aric joined the others in their exercises, pushing his limits with every movement.